Oblivion:The Best Defense

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Store: The Best Defense
Proprietor	Varnado
Gold	1000
Mercantile	Journeyman (60)
Proprietor	Maro Rufus
Gold	800
Mercantile	Apprentice (40)
Console Location Code
ICMarketDistrictTheBestDefense, ICMarketDistrictTheBestDefenseBasement, ICMarketDistrictTheBestDefenseUpstairs
Location (view on map)
Imperial City, Market District

The Best Defense is an armor store located in the Imperial City's Market District. [edit] It is found across the street from Rindir's Staffs and next to The Gilded Carafe and the Office of Imperial Commerce.

The store is jointly run by Varnado and Maro Rufus. Also living in the shop is Gin-Wulm, the in-store Smith who is also the Armorer master trainer.

Varnado has 1000 gold and Mercantile skill of 60. He also offers repairing services and Advanced Heavy Armor Training. When bartering, he will buy your armor, weapons and miscellaneous items whilst only selling Heavy Armor. Among his wares is the unique cuirass Aegis of Apocalypse, which fortifies your Blade, Blunt and Heavy Armor whilst draining your Luck and your Health.

The other vendor, Maro Rufus, has 800 gold, a Mercantile skill of 40 and also offers repair services. When bartering, he will buy your armor, weapons and miscellaneous items whilst only selling Light Armor.

The Best Defense is divided into three areas: The Best Defense, The Best Defense Private Quarters and The Best Defense Basement.

The Best Defense

The main trading room is on the ground floor, and consists of separate counters for the two vendors who each have a selection of their wares on display. The wares are arranged meticulously and several candles cast an inviting glow over them. You open up the door to the sight of an exhibition table standing in the middle of a big carpet. It holds a pair of fur boots, iron boots and fur greaves. A small podium holds a fur helmet.

To your right is Varnados desk, and it holds, not surprisingly, a wide variety of heavy armor: A podium showcases a pair of iron boots, and on the desk, an iron helmet and an iron cuirass. Following the desk towards the basement door, you will locate three handbills: one for Rindir's Staffs and two for First Edition. Next to a few copies of Manual of Arms lies a steel cuirass, some iron greaves and, on another small podium, a steel helmet and a pair of steel boots.

Maro Rufus’ desk holds, as to be expected, several pieces of light armor. Starting near the wall, there’s a small podium with a pair of leather boots. Next to that, a leather helmet and a sack with clutter. In the middle of the desk, a leather cuirass has been carefully laid out. Behind the desk, on a table, a lectern holds writing materials while the sack holds clutter. Following the wall, there’s a writing desk with even more clutter, but on top of it, two scrolls: one of bound gauntlets and one of absorb skill: blade. At the foot of the staircase leading upstairs, two sacks with clutter and two barrels with food.

The Best Defense Private Quarters

The Private Quarters is part dining room, part bedroom – this is where Varnado resides. To your left as you enter, a set of shelves with three potatoes, a pumpkin and a watermelon. Following the wall towards the corner, a cupboard holds drinks while the well-dressed dinner table only holds four strawberries in a bowl. In the corner near the bed, a cupboard filled with clothing, while the locked chest at the foot of the bed has a chance of some jewelry, gold or silverware. The chest of drawers holds clutter and on the top sits a flax tunic and a pair of clogs. The unlocked Display Case has two Bronze Amulets on display while the chest to the right of the alcove contains randomly selected equipment. Inside the alcove, both the chest, the sack and the desk holds clutter.

The Best Defense Basement

On your way down the stairs, you will come across a chest with clutter, and further down, a sack with food and a few gold coins. At the bottom of the stairs, there’s a hallway with two doors, each respectively leading to Gin-Wulm and Maro Rufus’ bedrooms. At the end of the hallway, some shelves and a barrel with clutter, and on the floor, an entrance to the Market Sewers.

The northern door leads to Maro Rufus’ bedroom. To your left, a cupboard holds drinks and on top sits four bottles of cheap wine. On the small dinner table, a piece of ham, a bread loaf, a cheese wedge, two apples and ten blackberries as well as a bottle of cheap wine. The cupboard near the bed holds clothing.

The southern door leads to Gin-Wulms quarters. To your left, a lectern with clutter and/or a book. The winerack near the dinner table holds eleven bottles of cheap wine, and on the floor underneath it lies a repair hammer. On the table, even more food: Two potatoes, two loaves of bread and a cheese wedge. On the side, and not exactly hidden, two bottles of Skooma. The chest of drawers near the bed holds clothing, and on top sits a blue & green outfit.

Related Quests

• Armorer Training: Answer a question from a master armorer to receive master training.
• Heavy Armor Training: A retired soldier wants you to find a present for his beloved before he will train you.